Whitney Marie (Grangroth) Nelson, the daughter of Wayne and Karen (Kilpela) Grangroth, was born on January 22, 1997 in Buffalo, Minnesota. She grew up in Cokato and was baptized and confirmed at First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato. While in college she re-affirmed her faith through baptism at Hillside Church in Mankato in 2018.
Growing up, Whitney was a creative planner. From birthday party plans to making up neighborhood games she was full of ideas and made them come to life. She had lots of energy and was always up for the next adventure. From playing volleyball to summer trips to Michigan she always had a full schedule. She was able to seamlessly connect to everyone whether they were old or young. Whitney was a 2015 graduate of Dassel-Cokato High School and earned her degree in Social Work from Mankato State University in 2019. After graduation she started her career as a Case Manager at McLeod County Social Services Center. Whitney was passionate about her work as serving others came so naturally to her.
Whitney held so many special roles in her life, but the role she was most proud of was being a loving wife and partner to Nate. Nate and Whitney were married on August 15th, 2020 at Highland Community Church in Cokato, Minnesota. Together they enjoyed making a beautiful home and life together in Buffalo, Minnesota where they spent most of their free time hosting friends and family and working on home improvement projects. Whitney was the queen of do-it-yourself and always had a project up her sleeve (Nate joked that the local Menards store was their second home). She was an exceptional cook and baker, which her loved ones greatly appreciated. Whitney had a unique ability to show others love through her gifts and was incredibly thoughtful. Whether it was a party she was planning or a gift that reminded her of someone, she always made each person in her life feel so special and loved. No detail got past Whitney. Her love for kids was evident in the work she chose to do and how much her nephews and niece adored her – “Auntie Whit” was the very best auntie. One of Whitney’s favorite places was up north on Lake Belle Taine where she spent many family trips and weekend getaways with Nate throughout their dating years and marriage. She loved to travel to the beaches of California and her honeymoon trip with Nate to Lake Tahoe was a perfect beginning to their new life together.
Whitney lit up the lives of everyone who knew her, not only through her outward beauty but especially through the way she loved and served others. The bright light of her spirit, the sound of her laughter, and the joy she brought to every day she lived will be so greatly missed by all who knew her. The heartbreak of Whitney no longer on earth with us is only soothed by the confidence in knowing we will see her again in Heaven someday.
She is survived and will be profoundly missed by her husband Nate, parents Wayne and Karen Grangroth of Cokato, Minnesota, siblings Karlee Grangroth and Jordan Grangroth of Crystal, Lynnlee (Fily) Alamry of Irvine, California, Trisha (Drew) Nelson of Cokato, Brielle, Dustan, Chloe, and Garrett Grangroth of Cokato; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will also be very missed by her second family, Chuck and Cindy Nelson of Dassel, Erica (Kurt) Hansen of Champlin, Kate (Shane) McConkey of Cokato, Nicole (Clint) Dammann of Maple Plain, Carter Nelson of Mankato, Minnesota, her nephews Henrik and Eddie Dammann, and her niece Olivia McConkey as well as many extended family and precious friends.
Whitney is preceded in death by her brother Trent and her paternal and maternal grandparents.
Visitation: Sunday, March 7, 2021 4-8 PM and 1 hour prior to services on Monday.
Funeral: Monday, March 8, 2021 11 AM
All at:
Highland Community Church
13800 US Hwy 12 SW
Cokato, MN 55321